Brave Hearts: New Scots Music, A Narada Collection

Amazon.com
Ever wondered about the rest of the words to "Auld Lang Syne?" You'll hear them on Dougie MacLean's guitar-ballad version, which closes Brave Hearts, a collection of Scottish and Scottish-inflected music. In MacLean's hands, the rousing, traditional New Year's song becomes wistfully low-key, with a gentle intensity that undercuts anything a crowd of celebrants in Times Square might be capable of. There are plenty of other surprises on Brave Hearts as well, such as Blair Douglas's "Nelson Mandela's Welcome to the City of Glasgow," which successfully combines Scottish and South African musical traditions; the result works far better than one might initially expect. Popular-style songs, such as "Sleepy Maggie" (Ashley MacIsaac) and "E Horo" (Mary Jane Lamond), are complemented by such nods to tradition as "Walking the Plank" (Skyedance) and "Southpark House/Tarruing Teann An Crios/Kevin's Celtic Chasm" (Anna Murray). And pieces like the fast, furious, dramatic "B Minor" (Leahy) integrate piano with the more recognizably traditional fiddles and drums. Brave Hearts presents music that is neither staunchly traditional, nor cut off from its roots; instead, the collection combines the best of both worlds. --Genevieve Williams

Tracks:

The Landlord's Walk - Blair Douglas
Sleepy Maggie - Ashley MacIsaac
Nelson Mandela's Welcome To The City Of Glasgow - Blair Douglas
E Horo - Mary Jane Lamond
Ah Fhideag Airgid - Karen Matheson
B Minor - Leahy
Southpark House/Tarruing Teann An Crios/Kevin's Celtic Chasm - Anna Murray
Mairead Nan Cuiread/The Bob Parsons Strathspey - Tannas
Ailain Duinn - Capercaillie
The Walking Nightmare - Old Blind Dogs
Walking The Plank - Skyedance
Auld Lang Syne - Dougie MacLean

Amazon.com

Ever wondered about the rest of the words to "Auld Lang Syne?" You'll hear them on Dougie MacLean's guitar-ballad version, which closes Brave Hearts, a collection of Scottish and Scottish-inflected music. In MacLean's hands, the rousing, traditional New Year's song becomes wistfully low-key, with a gentle intensity that undercuts anything a crowd of celebrants in Times Square might be capable of. There are plenty of other surprises on Brave Hearts as well, such as Blair Douglas's "Nelson Mandela's Welcome to the City of Glasgow," which successfully combines Scottish and South African musical traditions; the result works far better than one might initially expect. Popular-style songs, such as "Sleepy Maggie" (Ashley MacIsaac) and "E Horo" (Mary Jane Lamond), are complemented by such nods to tradition as "Walking the Plank" (Skyedance) and "Southpark House/Tarruing Teann An Crios/Kevin's Celtic Chasm" (Anna Murray). And pieces like the fast, furious, dramatic "B Minor" (Leahy) integrate piano with the more recognizably traditional fiddles and drums. Brave Hearts presents music that is neither staunchly traditional, nor cut off from its roots; instead, the collection combines the best of both worlds. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

I agree - this is a good CD.......2005-08-26

I have had this CD for a few years now and still get much enjoyment out of it. It is a good blend of some very inspiring music.
I would recommend it to the Scot/Celtic fan out there looking for that right inspirational CD.

Vibrant!.......2003-05-25

My favorite Celtic compilation album of all! I don't think I could describe "Bravehearts" any better than its back cover does: "proud, passionate, provocative--keeping tradition alive by refusing to let it stand still ..." Full of energy, bounce and spirit, all the numbers on this CD, both lively and driving or poignant and slow, have an intensity about them that just sweeps over you. The artists featured are: Leahy, Capercaillie, Blair Douglas, Mary Jane Lamond, Ashley MacIsaac, Dougie MacLean, Karen Matheson, Old Blind Dogs, Anna Murray, Skyedance and Tannas. It's hard to pick a favorite track or two here--I like every one, though Blair Douglas and Leahy really shine. Come along and celebrate the spirit and mystique of Scotland with these innovative new musicians! If you enjoy "Bravehearts", you'll also enjoy the up-tempo music of another compilation CD, Green Linnet's "Playing With Fire".

Get to Know them.......2001-05-10

Nice album for getting to know the new Scottish artists. I play it for inspiration with other favorites. Good value.

Awesome!.......2000-11-03

This is the first CD I have ever purchased that would fall under the "International" category. I heard a few tracks at a dance convention and fell in love with it. The entire CD is great, especially Blair Douglas' tracks.

A+++

Scottish Music Alive In The Present.......2000-09-24

This is an extensive and eclectic collection of contemporary Scottish music from Cape Breton to Perthshire.

Familiar names include Ashley MacIsacc with "Sleepy Maggie," Mary Jane Lamond with "E Horo," and Leahy with "B Minor." Capercaille contributes the song, "Ailein Dunn," which was featured in the film ROB ROY.

Blair Douglas contributes two percussion-driven tracks which successfully combine Scottish-style drumming with African-inspired drumming.

The collection ends appropriately with a rendition of Robbie Burns' "Auld Lang Syne," by Dougie Maclean.

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